Industry Focus

Overview

As a fifth-generation Oregon attorney, Tom is deeply invested in his clients and their role in the community. He takes the time not only to learn about his clients, but also to make sure he clearly communicates his analysis in a way that helps them make decisions and achieve objectives. Tom counsels a diverse client base with a particular focus on outdoor and athletic companies (also known as the “hooks and bullet” businesses).

Tom has extensive experience advising closely held and family-owned businesses on corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance. He appreciates the unique governance issues that arise in family-held businesses, and helps his clients anticipate and resolve issues before they become problems.

Clients often call on Tom for assistance in obtaining growth capital. His deep understanding of how private equity investments are structured in both corporations and limited liability companies helps his clients secure capital from private equity firms, venture capital firms, strategic investors and private investors.

Experience

Experience

Serves as general corporate counsel for Leupold & Stevens, a fifth-generation family-owned business that is the leader in hunting and recreational optics.

Has advised other leading closely held and family-held businesses, including Parr Lumber Company, Henningsen Cold Storage, A-dec, Benchmade Knives and Pacific Interpreters.

Represented Oregon Iron Works, a leading specialty manufacturing firm with commercial, marine, nuclear, aerospace, hydroelectric, defense and transportation manufacturing divisions, in its merger with Vigor Industrial. The Portland Business Journal described this transaction as the largest merger of two Oregon businesses in the past decade.